new guy with 400
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Joined: Feb 2005
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i have a 78 f-250 with a 400 in it. i went with an edelbrock performer cam and lifter set. its a .484"/ .510" lift at a 204* 214* duration(not adverstised) and a 112* lobe seperation, along with a billet timing set set 4*advanced. i went with the performer intake and 600cfm performer carb. i put a set of open chamber 4bbl heads on it from a cleveland. the valves are ferrea 2.07 and 1.65 ss valves with the performer valve springs and elgin retainer and locks. i converted to adjustable rockers with pro comp 1.73 full rollers. i run an msd pro billet ignition and 6a box. i have march underdrive pulleys and converted to electric fans. i have dynomax headers and 2 1/2 inch stainless exhaust. for a trans i have the wide ratio kit installed into a factory 4x4 c6 case and a dana 60 rear end with 3.73 gears. i also have the k$n filter top and 14x3 element with the edelbrock stubstack base. the block is .060 over with a .010/.010 crank. i have had no problems other than the miloden water pump i had went out in a month. the rear seal went out of it. i have the advance set at around 24 degrees, and run no less than 91 octane.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Delaware
You have a pretty good start. I would not recommend changing to 4V heads, you don't have enough lift to get them to flow. You might consider porting the heads you have.
What is your Compression Ratio?
What kind of pistons do you have?
Comp Cams and Crane offer retro-fit roller cams. You can use 5.0 roller motor lifters with the Comp Cams roller retro-fit kit and save some dollars.
I am running a custom grind roller with 281 degrees duration and 0.595 lift, but I have 10.3:1 CR. You would not want this cam in a lower CR motor. A custom roller version of the Comp 265DEH cam would work good with about 9:1 CR.
What is your Compression Ratio?
What kind of pistons do you have?
Comp Cams and Crane offer retro-fit roller cams. You can use 5.0 roller motor lifters with the Comp Cams roller retro-fit kit and save some dollars.
I am running a custom grind roller with 281 degrees duration and 0.595 lift, but I have 10.3:1 CR. You would not want this cam in a lower CR motor. A custom roller version of the Comp 265DEH cam would work good with about 9:1 CR.
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the 4bbl heads are for another engine i want to build. a local engine builder helped me with the first one that i have in right now. just looking for some ideas for it. ive never put a roller motor together. there is a machine shop near that does the roller cam bearing installation that im looking into also for the other one. i was also wandering about bumping up to a 2.25 in / 1.75ex valves for the other set of heads. would that be a bad idea? im wanting to run atleast 10.5-11.0 cpr. and looked at roller cams in the .550'' and up range with 250 duration or more to liven up the top end a little bit.
also had a question on valve adjustments on a adjustable valvetrain on a ford. right now the way my engine is its fairly good but took a ton of time to get it done. was wandering on a better way to get pushrod length easier and preload setting.
also had a question on valve adjustments on a adjustable valvetrain on a ford. right now the way my engine is its fairly good but took a ton of time to get it done. was wandering on a better way to get pushrod length easier and preload setting.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 5
From: Delaware
There are a couple of ways to get adjustable valve train.
Mill off the pedastals and tap the head for studs, then use stud mounted rockers and guide plates.
Use a stud conversion kit like the one offered by Crane Cams.
Get aftermarket aluminum heads set up for stud mounted rockers and guide plates.
Mill off the pedastals and tap the head for studs, then use stud mounted rockers and guide plates.
Use a stud conversion kit like the one offered by Crane Cams.
Get aftermarket aluminum heads set up for stud mounted rockers and guide plates.
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New User
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i had the pedastals milled off and went with guideplates and screw in studs. and aluminum roller rockers.. i was wandering on which way of checking length was best. with the lifter pumped up or down; or which solid lifter could i use to check it that way.